Merry Christmas from the TSA in LAX

They look like TSA agents; but who knew they could sing!

Best Travel Toys

I just discovered YoYo.com. I ordered my kids' Christmas presents Sunday and they arrived today. And shipping was free. (1-2 day shipping free on orders over $49.)

Check out YoYo's Top Travel Toys for Kids

My favorites:
Melissa & Doug License Plate Game ($15.99)
Crocodile Creek 100-piece Travel Pouch Puzzle (World Map or Dinosaurs) $4.99
Slinky ($4.99)
PBS Kids Take Along Puzzle ($19.99)
Tangle Relax Therapy 4.99

Use Code YOYOBIGKID2 by December 15 to get 20% off your first order. And you can get the shipping free on top of it if your order is $49 or more.

Family Friendly Airlines

Caught Scott McCartney on NPR and thought this segment on Hostility Meets Many Babies on a Plane. McCartney notes the tightening of restrictions on family travel making it tougher on parents traveling with their children.

McCartney pointed out Delta's better policies. I concur and would add that Seattle-based Alaska Airlines still has better policies for families traveling with children (early boarding, full-size strollers can be gate-checked, free car-seat check). Catch the segment if you will be taking your kids with you on a plane anytime soon.

Fly or Drive? Now a Calculator to Price the Difference

If you've ever sat down and crunched numbers to determine if it was cheaper to fly or drive, BeFrugal.com's Fly or Drive Calculator is for you.

I checked out the cost difference to fly or drive our family to Disneyland next spring. The site factors in a few variables such as the kind of car (year, make, model) you will be driving, and if you would have a friend pick you up at the airport or have to take a shuttle.

I loved this tool so much, I'm including it on my side bar.

Flying with Kids--How to (Almost) Enjoy It

I benefited greatly from traveling as a child. As a result, I'm inclined to want to take my own children on trips when I can. But traveling with young children is challenging and expensive.

Thus, we've traveled as a family less and less as we added children to our family. Our youngest made a cross-country trip before he was 5 months; our second made it to 10 months, and our youngest just made her first cross-country trip 6 weeks before turning 2 (when we would have to pay for her seat). Fortunately, she took to air travel with as much ease as our first born did. She balked at boarding but when we reassured her upon takeoff that all was well, she settled in for a nap and happily snacked, slept, and colored for the five and a half hour flight.

Unfortunately, kids have earned a bad rap on airplanes. And most of that can be blamed on their parents. Here are a few tips for turning your kid into one strangers will be happy to sit next to:

1) Now is not the time to begin teaching your child that they aren't the center of the universe. If you haven't disciplined or taught them good manners before, you're out of luck and you can expect to hate your flight. Plan on spending your entire flight apologizing to everyone around you and bribing your kid like crazy.

2) Bring healthy snacks. I once sat next to two children who had pretty much a Halloween-like stash of candy. Five hours of sugar will not calm your children or keep them healthy on a disease-infested plane. They'll get sugar in the snacks, juice or soda they are offered en flight. Consider cheese sticks, nuts, fruit or vegetables. And if you don't want to take these through security you can usually find healthy food to purchase in the airport.

3) Electronics are good. I am not a big fan of DVD players in the car. But on a flight a new movie or an old favorite can go along way to keeping a child quiet and happy. Computer games, IPODS, even your cell phone can be marvelous helps.

4) Bring age-appropriate toys and comfort items. I typically bring along at least one new (never been seen) activity for each child. A familiar favorite is helpful too, particularly if you have someone who gets a little nervous about flying. Stay away from things that roll or you can count on losing them very quickly. Depending on the age and attention span of your little traveler, you may need up to one activity or toy per hour on the plane. Definitely bring the favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or pacifier.

5) Don't forget to feed them on the way up and down. I thought EVERYONE knew this until I was on a flight with a woman whose baby screamed on the way up and down. Babies can nurse or have a bottle; older kids can snack or chew gum. But they will be a lot more comfortable if they are chewing or sucking.

On a night flight, consider bringing along the pajamas. My daughters always take that as a cue that they should sleep now. And we all love to sit next to sleeping children.

Holiday Airfare Tips

Tips on how to get the best deal on holiday airfare from Expedia.

Hotels for Families

Light Suitcase Traveler has been away traveling with three young children and is still in recovery mode.

While away, she discovered the wonderful new concept from Marriott: TownePlace Suites. These hotels have joined Embassy Suites as the first place I look when traveling with my family. We stayed in a suite with two bedrooms, a living area, full kitchen and bathroom for $159/night. This included breakfast for a family of five and allowed my husband and I to get a good night's sleep without children night noises. Check them out.

When Travel Gets Dangerous

I've given a lot of thought to what to do if things go wrong when I'm traveling. I'm a worrier by nature and I have no trouble with scenarios that involve things erupting, terrorists attacking, and various weather catastrophes. But a few stories have given me further pause. I'm not interested in visiting Arruba. Iran was pretty low on my list before they imprisoned three American hikers. And while I'm not willing to swear off Italy, after the Amanda Knox trial, I am not too certain about their criminal investigations.

So what is a traveler to do?

• If you are going anywhere outside the United States, be sure you check out the State Department's travel alerts and warnings. And be sure to carry the name and address of the nearest U.S. Embassy should you get into trouble.
• Take a few minutes to enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a service of the State Department that helps them notify you in case of an alert and makes it easier for you to have embassy access. (Embassy are high security operations. You don't just walk in.)
• Also leave copies of your passport number, credit card information, and full itinerary with someone at home just in case you leave in a hurry. Or worse. 

Stay safe.

Tipping, Oh Tipping

I go into a virtual panic when it comes to tipping. I'm pretty secure on what to tip the waitstaff; I paid my dues as a waitress and I know when I'm getting good service and when I'm not. I can usually tell when my waiter is doing poorly because of bad management (too many tables, covering for someone who isn't being responsive) and when they really aren't focused on the job.

But tipping the taxi or shuttle driver? My hairdresser? The maid at the hotel? I get flummoxed trying to decide what's cheap and what's over the top. Especially when I do tip and come back to my made-up hotel room to find my tip still there.

So I happily anticipated Bankrate.com's A cheat sheet on tipping do's and don'ts. And it was helpful. And overwhelming. There is enough information here to require me to carry a cheat sheet at all times.

Here is my guide: When someone in the service industry goes out of their way to help you out, tip what you can and think is appropriate. I try to keep in mind that most in the service industry are not pulling big salaries; most are trying to pay the bills and might dream of sending a child to college. If they are doing good work, a moderate tip is appropriate. If they are doing great work, well, be prepared to tip accordingly.

Making sure you have the right change is a whole other problem.

Places: Jacksonville, Oregon

Jacksonville, OR

Few out of the way places are as quaint as Jacksonville, Oregon. Just a few miles out of Medford, Jacksonville was the place to shoot westerns in the 1980s. The town figured out that its western storefronts were a perfect place to shoot and took out the telephone wires so all that had to be done was to throw dirt down on the pavement. They don't make as many movies there these days but you can still wander Jacksonville's streets, visiting some great restaurants and getting your fill of antiques.

For a sit-down meal, check out the Bella Union. If you want a tasty sandwich and some amazing gelato, visit Mamma Mia Gelateria. Where else are you going to find a Proscuitto, Fig & Brie sandwich?

For a true Jacksonville lodging experience, check with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce for a great bed and breakfast.

For Control Freaks Everywhere: Room 77

If you hate being too close to the elevator, want to be on the top floor, and want a good view, Room 77 is for you. Room 77 has floor plans for more than half a million hotels in 32 cities and will give you room recommendations based upon your personalized preferences. You can link straight to hotel websites to make reservations. Keep in mind that while you can always request a specific room, most hotels will not guarantee you will get it.

Where's Your Favorite Place to View Fall Colors?

Every fall, I long for New England. A former job took me to Maine during the last week of September three years in a row and I've never gotten over it. Each time, the locals told me I had missed "peak." But it was lovely.

So when fall rolls around I have a serious case of nostalgia for other places.

So it brought me up short to see that AAA's Top Ten Places to Enjoy Fall Colors included three Northwest spots: SunRiver, Oregon, Leavenworth, Washington, and Penticton, British Columbia. These three are wonderful places. But with all the buzz about New England fall colors, I have never given the Northwest its proper due in my rank of autumn leaves.

Where is your favorite spot to view fall colors?

Columbia Gorge Astronomy Night- September 30

So how is this for a romantic fall getaway?

Head to the Columbia Gorge and catch Columbia Gorge Astronomy Night at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles, Oregon. The event runs from 6-9pm on Friday, September 30th, 2011. Astronomer Dan Gerhards will lecture on the sky and space and show a slideshow. Participants can view the night sky through the museum telescope. For info go here.

Then stay at beautiful Skamania Lodge across the Columbia in Stevenson, Washington. Catch this special: for $169 you get a one-night stay, $25 resort credit, $30 breakfast credit and a bottle of wine. To learn more or to buy, go here.

Beautiful Crater Lake National Park

View of Wizard Island from the Rim

My family and I took a day to go to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon last week. I had been as a child but the wonder and grandeur hadn't diminished when I returned as an adult.

At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It's high elevation makes most of it inaccessible year-round but when I talked with National Park staff last weekend, they were ready for visitors through this weekend. And then most will go elsewhere for the winter.

If you are going, be sure to plan your visit. You can take a boat-ride on the lake (after a vigorous climb down to the water) but you will need to plan in advance. There is still plenty of hiking opportunities but pack for winter weather. When we were there, it was bright and sunny and a chilly 55 degrees.

Crater Lake Lodge

Don't miss the Sinnott Memorial and a walk through the Lodge.

Stay in nearby Klamath Falls or go on to Medford. Both have outstanding deals on hotels right now.

Free Museum Day - September 24

If visiting a national park isn't feasible on Saturday, consider visiting a museum near you.

September 24 is Free Museum Day at nearly 1,400 museums across the United States. There is a catch. You need to submit a request for tickets (you can request two per email address) and ticket will be emailed to you same day. To search for museums, go here. To request tickets, go here.

National Public Lands Day - September 24

National Public Lands Day is September 24, 2011, and National Public Parks around the country will be waiving entrance fees in its honor.

September is a wonderful time to visit national parks. The summer crowds are diminished, the heat has subsided, and you might see some amazing fall colors. Saving yourself a little money is just a bonus.

For a list of parks waiving fees, go here.

Three Questions to Ask Before You Book that Amazing Deal

I'm a huge fan of Groupon (and hoping they start making a profit soon).  And I was very happy when Groupon and Expedia joined forces to offer amazing pre-paid travel deals. And then I started getting other pre-paid deals from a lot of other sources: Living Social, Bloomspot, even TravelZoo jumped on the bandwagon.

Some of those deals are better than others and some of the sites are better than others. But in looking for a good deal, there are a few questions to ask:

1. Have I read the fine print? Some deals aren't what they appear. A recent Bloomspot offer looked amazing until I read the fine print that had many black-out dates, a $100 booking fee, and a $50/day resort fee. It wasn't much of a deal.
2. Will I be paying for things I don't want? Is it still cheaper than what I would pay for what I do want/need? A lot of deals are great for what they include-a wine-tasting tour, a spa treatment, a free round of golf, kids eat free. But if you don't drink, don't want a spa treatment or play golf and don't have kids, examine the cost before you leap. The included items might be the thing that make it a deal.
3. When can I use it? Will I have a chance to use it before the expiration? Will I be able to use it when I need to? I recently booked a deal for a vacation we were planning on taking anyway. I called the hotel to be sure those dates were open and told them I was checking before I purchased a Groupon. They were willing to hold my dates until I had made my purchase. Read the blackout dates carefully and book immediately for a holiday weekend or summer travel time.

Deal sites can be fun! They work well for the savvy, detail-oriented traveler. But if you can never remember to take your coupons to the store with you, think twice. Because people who never use the deal are the reason they are able to make it so great for the rest of us.

September 11

I flew from Washington Dulles to Dallas, Texas, on September 10. And came downstairs to the lobby of my hotel to get breakfast the morning of September 11 with no thought but the work I had to do that day.

A lobby full of strangers stared at the small television monitor and my world changed.

I completed my week-long business in Texas, and took my scheduled flight back home the following Monday, one of the first flights to depart after nearly a week of grounded flights. I flew American Airlines back to Washington Dulles on the quietest flight I've ever experienced. As we landed, passengers broke out in spontaneous clapping, in relief and thankfulness to a flight crew that had experienced the loss of colleagues less than a week before.

The days and months ahead would bring several trips to the Pentagon site where my naval chaplain uncle was presiding over the chaplains who were working with the victims of the attack there. A trip to New York where the most indescribable smell met me as I came out of the Brooklyn Bridge subway station. At best it was the smell of burning metal, but it was more than that. A sober New York City and a bomb scare outside my hotel were the many things that marked the post-9/11 world.

September 11 changed air travel forever. It changed the United States and the world. What do you remember?

Ten Most Complained About Airlines

One of my clients objected to the only non-stop flight to her destination this week. Why? The airline that flies that route has lost her luggage. She went with a one-stop flight on an airline she thinks more of. The airline she objected to tops the list of the "Ten Most Complained About Airlines" and brings up an important point:

Pay more for a better airline.
Which hardly seems like a budget travel recommendation.
But the more travel I book, the more I realize that extra value should be placed upon a travel company that has good policies. My mental checklist includes:
1) Do you have to pay more for water? (U.S. Airways charged me $1 for a plastic cup of water. Not cool.)
2) Do I have to pay to select seats? (I paid $10 to put a client in an aisle or a window seat on Sun Country Airlines recently. I won't even consider AirTran for the same reason.)
3) If the price drops, will I get my money back (or credit)? Jet Blue and Alaska Airlines come through on this one for me.
4) If I need to cancel a flight, what is the policy? Most airlines (United, Alaska, Delta, etc...) will give you 24 hours after booking to cancel or change a flight with no penalty. American has no grace period.
5) Change fees? Southwest comes out big here, the only airline that lets you change without a fee.

Customer service matters. For the average person who doesn't book a lot of flights, lists that say who gets the complaints are important.

Sometimes bottom dollar is just not worth it.

Recession Blues: Lodging

Just like flying and renting vehicles, hotel rates are going up. But unlike airfare, where prices have gone up and less is included (food, beverages, baggage), hotels are doing a better job of offering amenities that can save you money.

More and more budget chains are offering free wireless internet and a complimentary breakfast. And the savvy leisure traveler can take advantage of special deals from Groupon and other pre-purchase sites that include amenities like free spa treatments and dining credits.

When you book matters too. In Manhattan, rates for bookings 61-90 days out are up 18% over a year ago. But for last minute travelers who book 0-6 days out, rates are up only 2% over a year ago. If you can handle the suspense, you can get a great last minute deal from sites like Priceline and Hotwire or Hotel Tonight.

So while lodging isn't getting cheaper, it isn't all bad news. You can still get a great deal if you are flexible and patient. 


Sources: Expedia's Average Hotel Rate Climbing Fastest This Year, USA Today.
HRG: Global Corp. Hotel Rates on the Rise, Business Travel News

Breaking the Hotwire Code: How to Make Blind-Booking Not So Blind

Love a good getaway? But a little scared to blind-book a hotel?

Try cracking the Hotwire code by using Bid Goggles. Bid Goggles has you enter the Hotwire amenities and other info and then gives you an idea of what the hotel will be. I tried it for a Labor Day getaway to Vancouver, BC and it gave me two possible hotels. Then I took a minute to determine if these hotels charged for parking and were in a good area for the sites I want to see.

There are other sites out there that will do the same thing. Better Bidding is one; Hotwire Revealed is another. Better Bidding is so complicated I didn't even bother. Hotwire Revealed doesn't include Canada, but is a good place to firm up the info you've received from Bid Goggles. (A second opinion is always a good idea.) Try it. And take an impromptu Labor Day getaway.

New Flier Protections In Effect

A host of new consumer protection policies went in to effect earlier this month. Most of the provisions are a good idea. In fact, the great airlines brought most of them about. But it will be interesting to see what regulating will cost the consumer in rising prices. Not to mention the cost to the taxpayer of regulating those changes.

• Probably the change that will effect most travelers is this one: "Airlines must prominently disclose all optional fees on their websites, including but not limited to fees for baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, or advanced or upgraded seating." (Department of Transportation)  Delta's website brought up a spreadsheet about checked and carry-on baggage fees when I booked a flight yesterday. Baggage fees have changed multiple times during the past two years on some airlines and while I book enough flights to know what airlines charge what, for most travelers, having that information up front is a good idea.

• Airlines are now required to refund the fee you paid to check your bag if they lose your bag. They already had to reimburse you for loss or damage to the bag and its contents. Refunding the fee you paid them to take care of your bag when they didn't is common sense, right?

• If you are involuntarily bumped from a flight and your airline can get you to your destination within two hours of your original arrival time, you are owed a refund of twice your original ticket amount up to $650. If it takes longer than two hours, you get four times the ticket amount, up to $1300. While most airlines oversell flights, it is rare that passengers are involuntarily bumped. Most airlines get by with only using incentives for bumped travelers.

• The other change will attempt to curb airline practices. There is now a fine for both domestic (imposed earlier) and international flights (and airlines) that delay takeoff on the tarmac for more than four hours. The airline could be fined up to $27,500 per passenger. That's a pretty hefty fine, scary enough for airlines to be aware of it and comply. Whether or not it will be enforced is to be seen. 

Other regulations are due to go into effect on January 24, 2012. The airlines requested more time to reach compliance.

Sources: USA Today, Budget Travel, Department of Transportation

If You Need New Towels....

Recently a friend stayed in a hotel I recommended to her. The Hotel Grand Pacific is one of my favorite hotels and so I was surprised when she responded to my question of how she liked her stay with "It was ok." I kept asking her what made it less than "great" and she went through the list of everything she loved and finally came up with this: "They never changed our towels."

"Ah," I responded. Because how do you exactly say "You don't get out much do you?"

Last week, I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, a four-diamond hotel in the swank suburb of Seattle, one of the U.S.'s most green-conscious cities. A polite little sign in the bathroom said "To conserve valuable resources, we will not change your towels or your bedding unless you call and request that we do so."

The Hyatt and Hotel Grand Pacific are not alone. If you are staying in a nicer hotel in any major metropolitan area, you can count on a greener policy of not changing the linens daily unless requested to do so. It might apply to the towels as well. Before you let that bother you, remember you can always ask for new towels or clean sheets and you will have them shortly. Don't you wish that worked at home?

Aviation Day: The Wonder of Air Travel

August 19 is Aviation Day.

Even with the rising costs of air travel, fees, and long waits on the tarmac, most of us have to admit we are pretty grateful that Orville & Wilbur Wright kept trying until they made it happen.

I grew up flying. My grandfather had his pilot's license and until a heart condition made him give it up, I had the joy of flying in a little Cessna 210. I will never forget hitting air pockets and having my breath taken away as we dropped. And one of my best childhood memories is flying to attend an air show in a different part of our state.

September 11, 2001, changed air travel in ways I wish it hadn't. My children will never know the joy of seeing off someone at the gate, one of my favorite memories.  We no longer get to welcome travelers as they deplane.

But when my 20-month old points to the sky and says "airplane," my heart still thrills at the wonder of it.

Google City Tours

Remember the old days when you had to plan a trip before you left? Those days are gone. If you are vacationing or have a few hours on a business trip, check out Google City Guides.

Simply enter your starting address and Google will show you all the available tours, when they are offered and for how long, and show you a star rating. And it is done in real time so you can know you have 23 minutes to catch the next tour. Check it out at http://citytours.googlelabs.com/.

Glacier Park International Airport Gets Zany with Security

Kudos to the Glacier Park International Airport staff who decided to make something people might pay attention to.

Book Lovers Day

Last week I watched a woman sitting on her deck at the beach reading a book. I was managing my three children but I thought how lovely it would be to read by the sea. Someday.

August 9 is Book Lovers Day. And to celebrate, here is Budget Travel's 25 Greatest Travel Books of All Time.

I have to say that I'm shocked A Room With a View did not make this list.

What book(s) would you have included? What books gave you a picture of faraway places and made you want to get there anyway you could?

Charming Astoria: Pier 39

There are a lot of reasons why I love Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. This little Oregon town sits on the beautiful Columbia River and is full of history (Lewis and Clark made camp for the winter at the end of their journey to the Pacific here), culture, and beauty. I made a recent visit to the historic Pier 39, the site of the old Bumblebee Cannery.

When the Cannery was shut down a few years back, creativity took over and a suite of offices, a museum, a coffee shop and a restaurant and brewery moved in. Here are some photos. Next time you make it to Oregon, don't miss it.

Coffee Girl

Rogue Ale House

Pier 39 Bumblebee Cannery Museum

Ship in Columbia River, Astoria, OR

Bumblebee Cannery Wall of Fame, Pier 39, Astoria, OR

Affordability: Best and Worse Destinations for Travel Taxes

Not too long ago, I sat down to figure out a way to get my family to either Disneyworld or Disneyland on vacation. The idea has been postponed for now, but I learned an interesting fact in the process. It is cheaper for my Seattle-area family to take a family vacation to Disneyworld in Florida than to Disneyland in California. (If we fly; driving would flip it.) Why? Taxes.

Some locations work harder to keep taxes down and thus, attract more travelers; others are trying to make more revenue and not really factoring in affordability for tourists. Sometimes, that's because a location doesn't have to. New York (2) and Boston (4) rank in the top five for the highest total taxes on travelers. People will still visit those places anyway. But Chicago (1) and Kansas City (5) might want to rethink that. And Seattle (3) might consider that nearby Portland, ranked 5th in cities with the least overall tax burden for travelers (with much the same travel culture) is a much-better buy for tourists.

So, where should you look for cities with cheaper tax burdens for travelers? Florida. Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, and West Palm Beach take the top three spots. But I'm still not sure that the 4th place ranking is enough to draw a crowd of tourists to Detroit. 

Source: GBTA Reveals Best and Worst Travel Taxes in Top 50 U.S. Locations

Around the World in Three Years

Warren and Betsy Talbot dreamed of traveling the world. Someday. Then a young friend suffered a brain aneurysm and a 30-some year old family member had a heart attack. And the Talbots decided to live their dream now.

The couple had already embarked on a journey of simplifying their life by moving from the East Coast to Seattle and moving from a large home to a townhouse. Now, they got serious and set a date to leave on a 3-year world trip. They sold a car and paid off their credit cards. They started selling their things to friends and on Craigslist. In April 2010, they sold their townhouse and rented a couple of rooms from a friend. Friday, October 1, 2010, they departed for South America on the journey most of us will only dream about.

The Talbots have budgeted to spend $100 a day during their three-year trip. They know they will need more in some places (Europe) and less in others (Asia). They have used social media to find great deals on travel and to connect with the wisdom of other travelers. And they incorporated a month-long volunteer vacation on a nature preserve in Peru into their journey. "We'll spend $590 each for food and lodging, which is well under our $100/day budget, and the savings will allow us to go to Machu Picchu afterward," Betsy said when I interviewed her last September.

Betsy admitted to some fear as they embarked on their journey. They don't have a "plan" for their return. They may not even return to Seattle. Warren blogs: "Our desire now is to explore new areas, leave ourselves completely open to new experiences and be open to the possibilities." You have to love that.

The Talbots are in Europe currently and are a couple of months from celebrating a year on the road. A recent blog post comments and links on seven of their favorite posts so far. Don't miss it! Follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/betsytalbot), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MarriedwithLuggage), and read as they blog their adventures at http://www.marriedwithluggage.com.




(I originally wrote a version of this article as the Seattle Budgets Examiner but retained rights to my material.)

The TSA: Giving in to Reason

Today, the TSA issued a press release stating they were "taking the next steps to further enhance passenger privacy." How? They've decided to upgrade their scanners to a version they could have gone with in the first place and saved a great deal of time and expense. I wrote about this in 2009 when the TSA first started using their controversial screeners in some airports. When given the opportunity to choose slightly more expensive machines (estimated to be about $10,000 more) used by high-level security firms and proven to be effective without revealing detailed images of bodies, the TSA opted to go with the slightly cheaper machines that were controversial from the beginning.

If it were about security or even cost-savings to the taxpayer, that would be one thing.

But it wasn't. Because now they are making the change. And the cost was always more with the revealing machines because it required two TSA personnel to the the one required by the newer machines. My original article achieved a hot response from "James" who states he is a "TSA employee" who wrote: "...my thought is-do you want us to stand around and look pretty, or do you want real security?"

James, the problem is that I don't want you to stand around and look pretty. Nor do I want taxpayer dollars and airport security fees to be used to pay two of you when only one is needed.

And I don't want to have my privacy violated for no better reason than keeping people on the federal payroll.

For more, see the Fox News story.

Are You Taking a Vacation This Year?

From a European perspective, Americans have never been very good at taking a vacation. While three to four weeks a year of vacation is typical for most Europeans, Americans feel grateful if they take a week or two.

But what is a vacation? Work expectations while vacationing are on the rise, largely due to technology. To really get away, you may have to leave your computer and phone at home and find a deserted island. Thirteen per cent of non-self-employed employees report they are expected to work while on vacation. One in five said they weren't expected to work but had to be available should an emergency arise. If you are self-employed, the economy may demand that you skip the vacation in order to keep your struggling company producing.

And if you can get the time away from work, you may not be able to go anywhere. Nineteen percent of Americans who are taking a vacation are taking it at home this year. "Stay-cations" are becoming more popular with the majority of those taking them stating that rising fuel prices are a primary reason they are choosing not to drive or fly anywhere.

If you are stuck with little opportunity to travel, consider a getaway to a nearby location. Budget Travel put together a list of One-Tank Escapes for seven U.S. cities (in different regions). A short trip may not feel like enough. But it may be all you get.


Sources: Survey Reveals U.S. Workers May Change or Cancel Summer Vacations if Economic Volatility Continues
Top Reasons Americans are Choosing to Vacation Within Their State

Recession Blues: Airfare

If the economy is in the tank, why does airfare keep going up?

Many factors have contributed to taking airfares to their highest levels since 2008, despite the lackluster economy.

• High fuel prices. With higher fuel prices, airlines simply can't afford to fly you for less. 
• High taxes (and they may get higher) The Air Transport Association reports: "In 2010, U.S. airlines and their passengers contributed $3.4 billion in taxes and fees to the Department of Homeland Security, including $2 billion in taxes and fees to the Transportation Security Administration – a 50 percent increase from the amount collected in 2002." And now U.S. lawmakers are looking to increase those taxes, following their misguided ideas that you have to raise taxes on any portions of industry that are actually surviving. 
• Business travel is up. Indicators suggest that business travel is making a comeback. And while that is a good sign for the economy, it makes it tough for the average family to take a vacation. 
• Airlines have switched out larger planes for smaller ones making some seats more expensive. 217 billion passengers flew in the summer of 2007; 206 billion passengers are expected to travel this summer. Supply and demand has caused airlines to use smaller planes, utilizing less fuel to cut costs. This means less seats and thus more competition for those seats. 

So you may have to accept that your ticket will cost more this summer. Here are a few ways to find the best fare:

1. Whenever possible, buy from an airline that will refund a price drop.  
2. Use Bing.com's airfare predictor before you buy. Bing will tell you their confidence level about whether fares on that route for those dates will increase, decrease, or remain steady. 
3. Buy your fare on a Tuesday. While not always the cheapest, most airlines release sale fares on Tuesdays and offer a certain number of seats at that rate. When they've sold that number, the fare will go up a tier. 
4. Fly on cheaper days. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days to fly. Wednesdays are typically the cheapest, followed by Tuesday and Saturday. 

And if all else fails, drive. 


Sources: Air Transport Association
FareCompare.Com
Bing Travel

Hot Deal: Victoria's Beautiful Hotel Grand Pacific

Last year my family and I had a chance to stay at Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, B.C. It was by far the best hotel experience we have had. The staff were amazing and when we arrived they already had the pack'n'play set up in the room for our baby and an extra set of towels.

View from our room at the Hotel Grand Pacific

A side view of the hotel

The hotel sits right on the Inner Harbour next to the Houses of Parliament with a view of The Empress Hotel and the Marina. The four-star accommodations are lovely.  Don't miss the indoor pool with natural light pouring in from lofty solar panels, ozonated, and with a 2' foot wading pool for the kids. And the fully equipped gym, hot tub, sauna, and steam room are the best you will find anywhere. 

So now Groupon and Expedia have teamed up to bring an amazing deal on a one-bedroom suite at the Hotel Grand Pacific. To purchase this deal for as low as C$99, go here.  Purchase before July 18 for stays through March of 2012. Whether you take the family or celebrate an anniversary, you will love your stay.

Travel with Purpose: Build a Home in Mazatlan

Ecotourism is on the rise with many opportunities in different areas. One opportunity exists in warm, sunny Mazatlan building homes for the needy with Homes of Hope.

1. Raise a team of 8-12 adults (or up to 20 if your group includes families) and make a date. It takes three days to build a home, working 8 hours a day.
2. Raise funds to build the home and for travel.
3. Live out your values.

For more info, email programs@ywammazatlan.com
or call +1-310-455-6143 for more information, prices and available dates. Pricing and other information can be found at: www.ywammazatlan.com. 

20% Off a Mini-Vacation at the Oregon Coast

The beautiful Oregon Coast, Photo: M. Reitz

If the recession has done a number on your finances as it has on mine, a full vacation may not be in the cards this year. You are not alone. In years past, it was hard to come by a vacation house rental that didn't require a minimum of a week-long stay. But with rentals down, savvy Bella Beach and Olivia Beach vacation rentals on the Oregon Coast are offering a gap-stay deal. Submit this form with dates you are available, what you are looking for, and they will let you know of 1, 2, or 3-day stays available. And at 20% off, you might just get a beach getaway this year after all.

Paid Too Much for a Plane Ticket? You Might Be Able to Get That Money Back.

I've collected more than $400 in ticket credits this year. How?

Yapta.com not only tracks fares for flights you are considering before you purchase the flight; it tracks it after you purchase. An email notification lets you know of a price drop. And if you've purchased through two outstanding airlines Alaska or Jet Blue, you can get the difference between what you paid and the new lower price back. Other airlines will refund a significant price drop of $75, $100, or $150, but these two stand alone in offering savvy customers the best price for a flight. Period. Both companies issue credits vs. cash. And Yapta will provide you with numbers to call to get your discount.

It is that easy.

Need a Hotel Tonight?

Chances are if you travel often you are going to need a last minute hotel at some point. Now mobile phone users have a free, easy app that gives them access to great deals at the last minute. Hotel Tonight allows you to view hotels that have rooms available same-day. Booking is not blind so you can choose the area, type of hotel, and even view pictures before making a decision. And then you can book from you phone. Same day rooms are typically discounted, so you might just start living on the edge a little. Just for fun.

How Old is Your Airplane?

Southwest Airlines made the news  after one of its Boeing 737s suffered engine failure but safely landed. Not what the PR department was hoping for following the April 2011 incident when the ceiling tore open on a flight out of Phoenix. That plane was also a Boeing 737.

Despite these incidents, Southwest is lucky. They carry the distinction of having the safest record of U.S. airlines with no fatalities in the airlines history. (If you want to analyze a lot of air safety data, check out: AirSafe.com). But their 737s have the distinction of being the oldest planes in Southwest's fleet, ranging from 14-27 years old.

But the average age of a plane in Southwest's fleet is only 11 years.  Which isn't bad compared to many U.S. airlines. "Of the 5,363 jets used by U.S. airlines today, almost 1,300 are more than 15 years old and 235 of them were built before 1988, the year the government banned smoking on most domestic flights, " the AP reported in April.

But before you get too concerned, the good news is that since Congress passed the Aging Aircraft Safety Act in 1991, airlines are required to inspect aging aircraft more frequently. Which costs more and results in a greater frequency of delayed and canceled flights. 

Apparently the airlines are starting to be concerned as well. American plans to begin replacing its U.S. fleet and Delta plans to retire the 39 DC-9s it flies that date back to the 1970s next year. (Sources: AP and Seeking Alpha blog)

In the meantime, you might want to start paying more attention to what you're flying. And if your plane still has a place to discard your burning cigarette, it isn't good news.

Last Minute Fourth of July Weekend Deals on Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals

The high price of fuel has many staying home this Independence Day holiday weekend. (Source: USA Today) The result: A lot of open vacation rentals.

Oregon vacation home communities Bella Beach and Olivia Beach are offering 10% off with only a 2-night minimum. To take advantage of this offer, you must call 855-238-0184.

Other last minute vacation rentals can be found on Lickety Trip where you can find homes in a particular area that are available in the next two weeks. Then contact the owner and make a deal. And maybe you won't be home for the 4th after all.

Western Washington Wine Country Deal

Wine-tasters, check out these great specials for lodging and tasting in western Washington wine country. For as little as $60/night you can stay in one of Bothell's fine hotels and enjoy complimentary wine tasting and a dining value.

Is Delta Wrong?

Update on 6/28/11 

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia issued this statement on 6/27/11:

Rumors being circulated via the Internet regarding passenger flight restrictions on Saudi Arabian Airlines are completely false. The Government of Saudi Arabia does not deny visas to U.S. citizens based on their religion.

It doesn't change the content of my article in any way. 

I've watched the growing rancor all over the internet as Delta's new alliance with Saudi Arabian Airlines is more closely examined. USA Today reported on it and then withdrew their article as being incomplete. The issue is that with the new alliance, when you buy a ticket to Riyadh from Delta (which will connect you to Saudi Arabian Air), Delta will have to enforce Saudi Arabia's laws and not board passengers with an Israeli passport stamp.
Delta Airlines attempted to clarify on its blog. Delta representative Trebor Banstetter wrote:

We, like all international airlines, are required to comply with all applicable laws governing entry into every country we serve. You as passengers are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents, such as visas and certification of required vaccinations, and we’re responsible for making sure that you have the proper documentation before you board.

 Not everyone is buying it. Rabbi Jason Miller wrote in The Huffington Post:

The issue here is one of principle. Delta isn't being forced to include Saudi Arabian Airlines into its Sky Team Alliance. In fact, Delta could stand on principle and refuse to include Saudi Arabian Airlines based on its discriminatory policy. No, it's not Delta's fault that the Saudi government is anti-Semitic, but it doesn't have to go along with it. It's as if the Saudis are telling Delta that when it comes to Jewish passengers it's name should become an acronym: "Don't Even Let Them Aboard."

And while the focus is on Jews, Religion News Service also reports that Saudi Arabia can deny entrance to anyone carrying a non-Islamic item of faith, e.g. Bible. Women also must be dressed according to Saudi standards of modesty and "be met at the Saudi airport by a man who will act as a chaperone."

While I find this discrimination despicable, it seems Delta is caught in a quagmire. We are not at war with Saudi Arabia, but much of what this little nation stands for rankles most Americans. (And many others.) The Saudi Arabian government is considered an ally by our government in the War on Terror. Should we forbid Americans entry into this country based on its discriminatory policies? Many have legitimate reasons to fly to Riyadh, much as they can't stomach the government who enacted these policies. Delta is not only abiding by the laws of the passenger's final destination but also protecting passengers from being denied entry at the other end.

The sticky point is that Saudi Arabian Airlines is not a free enterprise in a free-market economy. It is a government-owned airline.

So by joining forces for the purposes of business with a Saudi government-owned business, is Delta wrong?

Places Every American Should See

Photo: Ground Zero, www.glasscityconnect.com

A couple of years ago, Budget Travel put together a list of 8 Places Every American Should See. It's a great list but Graceland? Really? Graceland is one of the two I've not made it to so perhaps I shouldn't judge. Pearl Harbor is the other and on my short list of places to see. If the list were mine, I would add Ground Zero, Philadelphia's Independence and Constitution Halls, the U.S. Capitol, White House, and U.S. Supreme Court Building, along with the Memorials of Washington D.C.

What's on your list?

Why the Cheapest Flight Sometimes Isn't: Baggage Fees

When airlines introduced baggage fees I really thought that they would go the way of New Coke and the Ford Taurus. But no such luck.

A Consumer Travel Alliance study* found that "[o]n average, passengers paid a total of $36.80 in fees for every round trip ticket – nearly $150 for a family of four." Budget-conscious when you book, you think you will just take your carry-on.  But in a mad scramble to pack you decide you can't fit it all in, or you don't want to run out to the store for travel-size toiletries. Or your suitcase exceeds the weight limit. And you check your bag, and the airline collects an additional $35+ on your cheap ticket.

Here are some ways to avoid being shocked by baggage fees.

1) Know your TSA guidelines and keep travel-size containers and quart-size plastic bags on hand so you are ready for last minute packing.

  2) Buy lighter luggage. My carry-on choice is the Traveler's Choice Rome Hardside Carry-On. (I have it in silver.) It is so light it feels like it will fall apart, and reviews suggest it will if you check it. So don't. It's a carry-on. And it gets great reviews from those who only carry it on.

3) If you know you'll need to check a bag, use Kayak.com's Toolbox feature which allows you to add the number of bags you plan to check and then adds that into the ticket price so you can see what you will really be paying. Kayak has a nice chart for fees on baggage, pets, drinks and meals and other fees you never thought of.

4) Jet Blue and Southwest are great choices if you need to check bags. Jet Blue allows one free checked bag, Southwest allows two.

Consumers paid $9.2 billion dollars in fees to the airline industry in 2010. These fees are part of the strategy the airlines have used to stay in business during a recession. They aren't going to go away.

*2010 data

First Day of Summer is Free at National Parks

Mt. Rainier National Park. Photo: M. Reitz

June 21 is nearly upon us and marks not only the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year, but also a free day at over 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.

What parks will be free? Here's the list by state.

So if you have the time, take the family and spend your money on gas and dinner instead of entrance fees.

If She Asks to Nurse Your Baby in Australia, Please Don't Slap Her

A good friend of mine blogs about being an expatriate. She's an Oregonian married to an Aussie living in Hong Kong.

Here's a recent post about foreign spouses in America.

What Have You Done to Travel?

I was 21 when I lost my patience with not being able to afford to travel. So I took a job as a live-in nanny on the east coast. I can't say I recommend that kind of desperation. I quit that job shortly after waking up at 2am to the father of my charges standing over my bed when the mother, a flight attendant, was out of town. But I did spend my days off exploring Washington D.C. and thoroughly taking advantage of my time off.

These days, my family gets along with one vehicle. Without that sacrifice we wouldn't be able to afford to travel, particularly with our children. And riding the bus is entirely worth it to be able to take a weekend getaway now and then.

So what have you done to travel?

Recession Blues: Rental Cars

A few years ago, I made many of my clients very happy because I was usually able to get them a bigger rental vehicle for cheaper than a compact or midsize. I reaped the benefit of their gratefulness simply by taking advantage of the times. In the early days of the recession, travel slowed down but rental car companies had lots of cars on the lot. Gas prices were extremely high and so travelers were opting for smaller cars. The result was a cheap rental on a SUV.

Unfortunately, while the economy still hasn't rebounded, the price of a rental car has changed significantly. Car rental agencies simply quit buying as many cars, particularly larger vehicles that cost more in upkeep and require more fuel.  Car rental prices are steep. And no longer am I barraged with an assortment of special offers and coupons to cut costs. Finding any coupon is hard and usually they make little difference. $5 off a day is significant when your rate is $24.95/day. When it is $68/day, it barely matters.

If you need to rent a vehicle here are a few ways to help keep costs lower:

1) Avoid renting at the airport whenever possible. Rent at the airport and you will tack on an airport concession fee, facility fee, energy surcharge and additional taxes that add up to as much as 40% more than the base rate of the rental. If you need it for more than a day or two on the end of a flight, check out nearby locations and compare the final cost. Is it worth it to take a bus, subway, or cab? (Hertz and Enterprise typically have a lot of off-airport rental facilities.)

2) Don't pay for more than you have to. Be sure you know if you need any extra insurance; if you do, different companies charge differently for what you need. There are differences between additional driver fees too. As well as for car seat rental. If you belong to AAA, you can often have additional driver fees waived, and Hertz provides AAA members with one free car seat. And unless you know exactly how much gas you will be using, never prepay a tank.

3) Shop for the best price. A great place to compare prices among companies is: CarRentals.com. If your plans are set, and you are certain your needs won't change, check Hotwire. You can do this from the CarRentals.com web page as well. If you see a good deal on Hotwire and are prepared to prepay, this is a great way to go.  Priceline is similar but I prefer Hotwire for these reasons: they are very clear about what companies they use and they are all ones with solid reputations and the descriptions include whether you will have to take a shuttle to the rental company or if it is onsite at the airport. Car rental charges fluctuate so if you haven't prepaid consider checking back a few times to make sure you have the best deal. Canceling and rebooking is easy.  And if you are looking at a car rental company directly, always look for the specials on their web site.

And you might decide on that compact car after all.

Groupon + Expedia = Amazing Deals

I've been a Groupon fan for some time. I've bought deals on local restaurants, spas, retail stores, and restaurants all for 50% off or more. Now comes the great news that Groupon is teaming up with Expedia to bring amazing travel getaway deals.  By creating a way for travel vendors to get paid now in exchange for the public getting a steeply discounted price, this is a win-win situation. Sign up here.

Why a light suitcase?

When I was 7 years old, my parents made a trip to Europe. My dad had served in the Army in Germany when I was young and they missed it and the economy at the time allowed them to buy two German vehicles, ship them back to the U.S. and sell them for enough to nearly cover our trip expenses. (The whole trip cost them $800.)

But rather than drop us with Grandma and Grandpa and jet off to Dusseldorf they made a fateful decision. They took my 16-month old brother and me along.  We spent two weeks in Europe, trying to find an affordable hotel in St. Moritz, trying to get to a safe hotel in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve and being offered numerous chocolate bars for "die kinder" all over Germany.

We had a car for most of the trip but we did have a few legs after we shipped our vehicle to the States when we had to take the train. And with a baby, a stroller, and luggage, I was handed the responsibility of the overnight case. In retrospect I was handed a very light suitcase, but to a 7-year old, it was weighty. And when we boarded the train as it started to move and my dad reached back to lift me and my case up, I was hooked. Hooked on the drama of travel and on having my own luggage in hand. Many of my traveling companions through the years might say I was a little hooked on cutting my connections very close.

When I look at the trip from my parents perspective I feel misery. Our return flight took more than 24 hours due to a series of mishaps including being short on fuel and frozen luggage compartment doors. I was so tired I soaked the airplane seat in the middle of the night. All those things as parents that are stressful and hard. But to a kid....It was MAGIC. I was a little embarrassed about the airplane seat but I was never worried.

These days when I think of traveling with my own young children, I get a little stressed out. But I still want to do it. Because I remember what it was like to be their age and get a look at a bigger world. It is a thirst that never ends.

These days, I travel a little less than I would like. I live vicariously when I plan a trip for one of my clients or help answer a friend's question about how to choose a vacation rental. And I try to keep life's suitcase light and not burdened with so many things that we can't afford a getaway or a trip someday.

And when my 7-year old pulls up Google Maps and says "Mom, can we go to Rome, right after we get to DisneyWorld?" I answer: "You'll go there someday, buddy. And when you do, please take me with you."